A Specialist Can Be The Difference Between Winning And Losing A Social Security Disability Claim

For financial reasons, many of our clients are seen exclusively by primary care physicians (PCPs). Primary care physicians are important for managing care of complex medical conditions and for routine ailments like colds, allergies, and rashes. However, the difference between winning and losing a disability claim could depend on treatment by a medical specialist.

Consider the Difference a Medical Specialist Made for One of Our Clients

A certain client had been complaining of severe hand and feet pain for more than two years. The client’s primary care physician included the hand pain complaint in the client’s treatment note; however, the x-ray ordered by the primary care physician was normal. When I met with our client and she described her problems, I encouraged her to ask her primary care doctor to refer her to a rheumatologist, a doctor who specializes in arthritic pain (among other things).

The rheumatologist examined my client and carefully noted evidence of synovial fluid, tenderness in certain hand and finger joints, Herberden’s nodes, and hand weakness, all of which are consistent with advanced arthritis. These conditions would not necessarily show up on an x-ray, but that does not make them any less disabling.

The specific and thorough notes made by the rheumatologist were a significant factor in persuading the Social Security medical expert and the Social Security judge that this client really did have a severe case of arthritis and helped this client get fair Social Security disability benefits.

Contact Us to Learn More About Protecting Your Rights

Choosing board certified lawyers with years of legal practice can make a big difference in your Social Security disability claim. The attorneys at Morgan & Weisbrod have lots of experience evaluating complaints and can often make observations and suggestions not only to strengthen the individual’s disability claim, but also to improve the quality of life for the individual. Please contact us any time—via this website or by phone—to schedule an initial consultation with an experienced attorney.